Following surgery you should have cold liquids for the next 24 hours. Protein shakes, Ensure, ice cream, and yogurt are good choices.

You will be able to drive yourself home after surgery, but you may wish to arrange for someone else to drive you home. If you wish to take an oral sedative, such as Valium or if your surgery is with IV sedation, you MUST have someone drive you home.

On the evening before your surgery, go to bed early enough so you will be well rested on the day of your surgery. Brush your teeth thoroughly shortly before your appointment.

Dress comfortably, avoid alcohol and too much coffee.

Bring your iPod to help you relax during the procedure and enjoy your music

POST OPERATIVE CARE PERIODONTAL SURGERY

A small amount of bleeding may occur after surgery. You may notice blood-tinged saliva or wake up with blood on your pillow.

If bleeding occurs, apply pressure to the surgical site with a wet tea bag. The tea bag has tannic acid in it, which can shrink blood vessels, and pressure is the most effective method to stop bleeding. If bleeding persists after applying a wet tea bag for 15 minutes, call the doctor at the number listed below.

If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take the entire course of antibiotics even if you feel fine. If you experience any unusual side effects such as hives, swelling, or itching, call Dr. Cordoba immediately or call your physician.

Take the prescribed pain medication. Some medications may cause drowsiness and may impair your ability to drive. Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking pain medications.

For the first 24 hours after the operation, you should apply an ice pack to the affected area (i.e. on your cheek next to the surgical site) for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off as much as possible. This will reduce the post-operative swelling and minimize any discomfort you may have.

You have stitches that may or may not need to be removed at your next visit. Some stitches dissolve on their own and others need to be removed. Whichever kind you have, the doctor will determine when they will come out after some healing has taken place. This should be between one and two weeks.

Rest following surgery. It is advisable to avoid strenuous activities for a full week.

At your surgical visit you will receive a hydrating AO ProRinse. It is an oral antioxidant that is very soothing and promotes healing. You should rinse with this twice a day as you will not be able to brush the area where you had surgery. Be sure not to eat and drink for 30 minutes after using the rinse. You can also rinse with warm salt water 2 or 3 times a day.

Eat soft foods and avoid chewing in the area where you had surgery. Avoid extremely hot or spicy foods. Be sure to stay well nourished and drink plenty of fluids.

You will probably notice some swelling in the surgical area for a few days. If you notice that the swelling is increasing 4 days after the surgery or have a fever, please call Dr. Cordoba. You may also notice bruising outside of your mouth.

Do not brush or floss the teeth that have had surgery until the doctor informs you that it is okay to do so. You should brush and floss the rest of your teeth normally.

You should not smoke after surgery. You should not smoke anyway.

Dr. Cordoba can be reached at 617-901-0065. if you get voicemail, please leave a message or send a text.

POST-OPERATIVE CARE ALLODERM

There is no healing that occurs for the first 24 hours after a surgical procedure. The natural response to “injury” is swelling. The body always responds to an injury with a predictable inflammatory response, as the first step towards healing. Our Post-Op instructions are designed to set up an environment of minimal swelling. Your grafting procedure was performed using a minimally invasive pouch procedure. Because it is a “closed” site, it is more subject to post-operative swelling. It is very important that the post-operative instructions are followed.

CARE OF THE MOUTH

Brushing and Flossing AVOID BRUSHING AND FLOSSING THE SURGICAL SITES until given specific brushing instructions at your postoperative visit. You may brush and floss the rest of your mouth.

You may notice a white film over the surgical sites, this is completely normal.

Anti-Oxidant Gel At your surgical visit, you will receive AO ProVantage Gel. It is a dental antioxidant that is very soothing and promotes healing.

Apply the gel on the surgical sites with a clean finger 5 times a day for the first week after surgery, then 3 times per day until your first post-operative appointment. Avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after application of the gel.

Electric Toothbrushes and Water Pik DO NOT use an electric toothbrush such as Sonicare or Oral-B or a Water Pik for 8 weeks following your surgery.

EATING

First 24 Hours Adequate nutrition is essential for normal healing. Following surgery, your diet should be restricted to cold liquids. Yogurt, smoothies, milkshakes or Ensure are good choices. AVOID PEROXIDE, ALCOHOL, CARBONATED BEVERAGES, AND DRINKING THROUGH A STRAW.

After 24 Hours You may have soft foods such as cooked vegetables, fish, pasta scrambled eggs, oatmeal, which are easily chewed. Avoid chewing at the surgical site for two weeks, DO NOT SKIP MEALS. If you take nourishment regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort, and heal faster.

ACTIVITIES

RestPlan to rest at home the remainder of the day of surgery and the following day. You may read, watch TV or work at your desk at home. When sleeping, elevate your head to decrease swelling.

After 24 Hours You may return to normal daily routine, but avoid strenuous activities such as heavy lifting, or exercise programs which elevate your heart rate for one week following surgery.

MEDICATIONS

Pain Medications Take the prescribed pain medication with milk, fruit juice, or a full glass of water. Never take pain medication on an empty stomach. DO NOT USE ASPIRIN or products containing aspirin for one week following surgery. Aspirin, Advil and Aleve can contribute to bleeding problems. Only the non-aspirin pain reliever, Tylenol is acceptable.

Antibiotics Take prescribed antibiotics as directed until finished.

SWELLING AND BRUISING

Swelling is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. Your swelling may increase until 3 days post-operatively. You may also develop bruising on your face. This is totally normal. If you experience an increase in swelling beyond the third day or an increase in discomfort, call our office

Ice Packs To help minimize swelling, place the ice pack on the outside of your face, over the treated area, for 10 minutes, and then take it off for 10 minutes. Continue to alternate 10 on, 10 off as much as possible the first 24 hours after surgery.

BLEEDING

Because your graft was placed in a pouch, there will be minimal visible bleeding that will show in your mouth. Sometimes any bleeding in your mouth that mixes with saliva can look like more than it is. If excessive bleeding occurs, please call our office.

SMOKING

DO NOT SMOKE for three weeks after surgery. Smoking is detrimental to healing tissues and will affect the results of surgery. If you can stop smoking for three weeks postoperatively, you may as well quit all together.

SUTURES

We do not use the type of sutures that dissolve by themselves for grafting procedures. This type of suture begins breaking down around 7-10 days after placement. When they start to dissolve it causes inflammation at the surgical site. Inflammation is not good for the graft and can cause an adverse reaction.

We have used a suture that is non-resorbable. This type of suture we use is very clean and actually repels bacteria. Your sutures will be removed at the two month post-op visit. There will be very little sensation associated with suture removal and requires no anesthesia.

It is our sincere desire that you are as comfortable as possible following surgery. If you should have any questions or problems Dr. Cordoba can be reached at 617-901-0065.